[Characterization and recognition key components in Astragalus membranaceus]

AIM

To separate, identify and quantify multi-components in complex traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Astragalus membranaceus by unified analysis for systematic study of its relative contents.

METHODS

The analytical method was reverse-phase HPLC/photodiode array detector. Based on the comparison of UV spectra, software of UV database to assist recognition has been established. Key components have been found and recognized in two reference Astragalus membranaceus and three samples from different sources. With the unified analytical project, relative peak heights of key components were recognized and contrasted.

RESULTS

The water-soluble components can be separated by solvent system A, a gradient program with mobile phase of methanol-water. The liposoluble components can be separated with the solvent system B, a gradient program of mobile phase of 2-propanol-acetonitrile-water. UV detection wavelength was set at 202 nm and the flow rate was 1 mL.min-1 on a Hypersil ODS column. Twenty-nine components in the four Astragalus membranaceus were recognized using characteristic parameters of chromatography and UV spectroscopy. All of the 29 key components in two reference samples and three samples from different sources were shown in their chromatograms to be the same. The concentrations of some the key components in different samples were similar while those of the others were different. The chromatographic peaks of the reference Astragalus membranaceus and two samples were matched with each other. Many different fingerprints were found and differences were shown on their chromatograms. Not only there were differences among three samples from different source, but also there were differences in the two reference samples.

CONCLUSION

To find out the key components and recognize them are the basis of quantitative recognition and are very useful when standards are not available. The method of multi-component quantitative recognition in Astragalus membranaceus was developed. The method is convenient and reproducible. It can be widely used for the quality control of the Astragalus membranaceus.

[Study of unified analytical method of compatibleness for traditional Chinese medicines. II. The quantitation of curve fitting]

To introduce method of compatibleness analysis for traditional Chinese medicines, we select a part of the results from the study of astragalus root(A.), Chinese angelica root(Ca.) and their complex prescription (Danggui Buxue Tang, DBT) with an analytical mode of reversed-phase HPLC-photodiode array detector as an example of the quantitation of curve fitting. A new quantitative method, the concentration variation of components as the changing of single prescription dosage in complex prescriptions is discussed. This is the second part of the method of compatibleness analysis for traditional Chinese medicines.

[Study of unified analytical method of compatibleness for traditional Chinese medicines. I. Separation, recognition of characteristic components and fingerprint analysis for single and complex medicines]

It is difficult to separate, identify and quantify multi-component in complex traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). Many analytical methods for TCM have been established, but only a few components can be separated and quantified. For analyzing the multi-component and finding new method of compatibility analysis, a strategy--the multi-mode and multi-column chromatographic system and unified analytical method has been proposed by us. A part of the results from the study of astragalus root(A), Chinese angelica root(Ca.) and their complex prescription (Danggui Buxue Tang, DBT) with the analytical mode of reversed-phase HPLC/photodiode array detector as an example of the method for unified separation and recognition of characteristic components and fingerprint analysis was introduced. This is the first part of the results of compatibleness analysis for TCM.

[Recognition and quantitative contrast characteristic components for root of Chinese angelica]

A method of multi-component quantitative analysis in root of Chinese Angelica has been developed. The analytical mode was reversed-phase HPLC with photodiode array detector. Based on comparison of UV spectra, a software of UV spectra database to assist recognition has been established. The solvent system, a gradient program of mobile phase with 2-propanol/acetonitrile/water can separate a lot of liposoluble components in root of Chinese Angelica. UV detection wavelength was set at 202 nm and the flow rate was 1 mL/min on a Hypersil ODS column. Twenty-three components in two roots of Chinese Angelica were recognized using characteristic parameters of chromatography and UV spectroscopy. It is the base of quantitative contrast to recognize many characteristic components without standard components in root of Chinese Angelica. For two samples of root of Chinese Angelica both have 23 characteristic components and the concentrations of some components were similar and those of others were different. The method is convenient and reproducible. It can be used for the quality control of the root of Chinese Angelica without the use of standards.

Characterization of the pro-aminopeptidase from Aeromonas caviae T-64

The pro-aminopeptidase from Aeromonas caviae T-64 (pro-apAC) had maximal activity at 60 degrees C and was more stable than mature apAC at temperature up to 65 degrees C for 1 hour. The pH stability of pro-apAC ranged from 4.0 to 8.0, which is broader than the range for the mature apAC. The kcat/Km of pro-apAC was 1.4% to 24% of that of mature apAC.

[The effect of temperature on the enantiomeric resolutions on albumin and beta-cyclodextrin chiral stationary phases]

The effect of column temperature on enantiomeric resolutions of tryptophan, warfarin and ketoprofen was investigated on bovine and human serum albumin (BSA and HSA) stationary phases, which were synthesized with s-triazine as the activator. It was observed that the entropy change made a great contribution to the separation of those enantiomers on albumin chiral stationary phases. The column temperature for the maximal resolution of tryptophan on the BSA stationary phase prepared by this method was about 35 degrees C, which was not 24 degrees C as reported for the BSA stationary phase synthesized with glutaric dialdehyde as the activator. This results may come from the different conformation of the immobilized BSA and HSA due to the different coupling methods used. On the other hand, it was indicated that the resolution of enantiomers on beta-CD chiral stationary phase was mainly contributed from the change of enthalpy, which means the resolution of chiral solutes on albumin and beta-CD stationary phases has different thermodynamic behaviors.

Function of the N-terminal propeptide of an aminopeptidase from Vibrio proteolyticus

An aminopeptidase from Vibrio proteolyticus was translated as a preproprotein consisting of four domains: a signal peptide, an N-terminal propeptide, a mature region and a C-terminal propeptide. Protein expression and analysis of the activity results demonstrated that the N-terminal propeptide was essential to the formation of the active enzyme in Escherichia coli. Urea dissolution of inclusion bodies and dialysis indicated that the N-terminal propeptide could facilitate the correct folding of the enzyme in vitro. Using L-Leu-p-nitroanilide as the substrate, the kinetic parameters (k(cat) and K(m)) of the pro-aminopeptidase and processed aminopeptidases were analysed. The results suggested that the N-terminal propeptide inhibited enzyme activity of the mature region. In contrast, the C-terminal propeptide did not show evidence of forming an active enzyme, of correctly folding in vitro or of inhibiting the active region.

Cycloamylose (cyclodextrin) glucanotransferase degrades intact granules of potato raw starch

Cycloamylose (cyclodextrin) glucanotransferase (EC 2.4.1.19, CGTase) originated from Bacillus macerans degraded intact granules of potato raw starch and converted them into cyclodextrins (CDs). The degradation required sufficient stirring of starch-CGTase suspension. The morphology of the degraded starch granules was unique; that is, the inner part of the granules was observed by scanning electron microscope to be more susceptible to CGTase than the outer part. Effects of pH, temperature, starch concentration, and enzyme amount on CD production were studied.

Intramolecular chaperone and inhibitor activities of a propeptide from a bacterial zinc aminopeptidase

An aminopeptidase from Aeromonas caviae T-64 was translated as a preproprotein consisting of three domains; a signal peptide (19 amino acid residues), an N-terminal propeptide (101 residues) and a mature region (273 residues). We demonstrated that a proteinase, which was isolated from the culture filtrate of A. caviae T-64, activated the recombinant pro-aminopeptidase by removal of the majority of the propeptide. Using L-Leu-p-nitroanilide as a substrate, the processed aminopeptidase showed a large increase in kcat when compared with the unprocessed enzyme, whereas the Km value remained relatively unchanged. The similar Km values for the pro-aminopeptidase and the mature aminopeptidase indicated that the N-terminal propeptide of the pro-aminopeptidase did not influence the formation of the enzyme-substrate complex, suggesting the absence of marked conformational changes in the active domain. In contrast, the marked difference in kcat suggests a significant decrease in the energy of one or more of the transition states of the enzyme-substrate reaction coordinate. Moreover, we showed that the activity of the urea-denatured pro-aminopeptidase could be recovered by dialysis, whereas the activity of the urea-denatured mature aminopeptidase, which lacked the propeptide, could not. Further to this, the propeptide-deleted aminopeptidase formed an inclusion body in the cytoplasmic space in Escherichia coli and was not secreted at all. These results suggested that the propeptide of the pro-aminopeptidase acted as an intramolecular chaperone that was involved with the correct folding of the enzyme in vitro and was required for extracellular secretion in E. coli.

Rectal and intranasal immunizations with recombinant urease induce distinct local and serum immune responses in mice and protect against Helicobacter pylori infection

To determine the optimal inductive sites for immunization against Helicobacter pylori infection, the protective efficacy of recombinant urease (rUre) was assessed for mice given the vaccine by either the oral (p.o.), intranasal (i.n.), or rectal route. When mice were immunized with rUre (25 microg p.o. or rectally or 10 microg i.n.) plus heat-labile toxin from Escherichia coli as the mucosal adjuvant, all routes afforded protection against challenge with H. pylori, as indicated by a significant reduction in gastric urease activity (P < 0.0005) compared to that of sham-immunized controls. Quantitative H. pylori culture of stomach tissue demonstrated a >97% reduction in bacterial burden in mice immunized by all routes (P < 0.05). Induction of antiurease immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in gastric luminal secretions after p.o. immunization was greater than after i.n. administration (means, 6.0 and 1.02 ng/ml, respectively) and was dependent upon challenge with H. pylori. However, immunization by the rectal route resulted in the generation of the highest levels of gastric antiurease IgA (mean, 40. 89 ng/ml), which was detectable prior to challenge with H. pylori. Immunohistochemical staining of stomach tissue for cells secreting urease-specific antibody and CD4(+) T cells showed levels of recruitment to be dependent upon challenge with H. pylori and equivalent for all routes. These results identify both the rectum and nasal passages as suitable inductive sites for urease immunization.

[Effect of protopine on rabbit platelet function]

Protopine (Pro) inhibited dose-dependently rabbit platelet aggregation induced by ADP, arachidonic acid (AA), collagen, or aggregoserpentin of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom (TMVA) in vitro. Their IC50 were 25.3, 30.5, 46.9, 33.4 mumol.L-1, respectively. Pro 10, 20 mg.kg-1 iv also inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by these inducers. The effects (maximal at 5 min) lasted 1 h. By using fluorophotometry and RIA, it was seen that Pro suppressed the release of 5-HT from platelets during aggregation induced by collagen, AA, or TMVM in vitro. Pro did not block the formation of thromboxane A2 during aggregation induced by AA and did not increase the content of cAMP in rabbit platelet, but increased the content of cGMP in rabbit platelets. The antiplatelet effect of Pro may be related to an increase cGMP in rabbit platelets and the suppression of the release of the active substances from platelets.

[Effects of ethanol and norepinephrine injected into nucleus hypoglossus on the genioglossal muscle activities]

Integrated genioglossal and phrenic muscle activities were recorded on 87 urethane anesthetized, vagotomized rabbits to study the effect of ethanol and norepinephrine (NA) injected into nucleus hypoglossus on the potentiating effects of integrated genioglossal and phrenic muscle activities (PIMA). It was found that ethanol could inhibit PIMA of genioglossal muscle. Peak amplitude of PIMA (PAMP) was reduced with the latency of PIMA (LAT) prolonged and recovery time (RT) shortened. Norepinephrine facilitated PIMA, which could be blocked by Tolazolin. Local administration of ethanol (2 mol/L 1 microliter) to the caudal part of the 4th ventricle floor produced statistically significant reduction in genioglossal muscle activities (P < 0.01) in resting respiration. The present results suggest that ethanol exerts inhibitory effect on genioglossal muscle activity which may be associated with the inhibition of nucleus hypoglossus per se or caudal part of the 4th ventricle floor. The excitatory activity of genioglossal muscle may be mediated by noradrenergic receptors in the nucleus hypoglossus.

[Transplantation of thin pedicle skin flap: a new method in the treatment of skin defect of hand (a report of 54 cases)]

We used the transplantation of the thin pedicle skin flap to repair the skin defect on the hand and claw hand due to scar contracture in 54 patients. The results were improved. The size of the skin flaps was 16-8 cm x 6-4 cm. The average time of division of the pedicle was 10.5 days. In comparison with the free skin graft with a preserved subcutaneous vascular network, the whole thickness free skin graft, the random pattern skin flap (local flap, fascio cutaneous flap and traditional skin flap), the axial pattern skin flap (including island skin flap and myocutaneous flap), showed that the thin pedicle skin flap was superior over them. The indications, blood circulation and the points for attention in the operation were discussed.

[Relaxant effects of protopine on smooth muscles]

The relaxant effects of protopine (Pro) on smooth muscles were studied by recording isotonic contraction and radioimmunoassay. Pro relaxed the contraction of rabbit thoracic aorta, mesenteric artery, portal vein and guinea pig ileum and taenia colon induced by high K+ (70 mmol.L-1). Pro also inhibited the contraction of rabbit thoracic aorta, mesenteric artery, portal vein induced by NE (0.3 mumol.L-1) and guinea pig taenia colon induced by BaCl2 (1 mmol.L-1). Pro inhibited the intracellular Ca2+ release, but did not inhibit Ca2+ influx induced by NE. These results suggested that the smooth muscle relaxant mechanism of action of Pro may be the inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ release.

Blood supply of the flexor digital tendon in the hand and its clinical significance

An anatomical study on the blood sources and vascularity of the flexor digital tendon was conducted in the upper extremities of fresh cadavers by means of arterial injection and meticulous dissection of the transparent tendon under the microscope. According to whether or not synovial membrane surrounded the tendon, the flexor digital tendon can be divided into 2 regions: non-synovial and synovial. The major intrinsic blood supply of the digital tendon was in the form of longitudinal vascular bundles, while the transverse anastomotic branches were short and sparse. The non-synovial region of the tendon was covered by paratenon and the vascular distribution of this region was uniform. In the synovial sheath, the blood vessels distributed only on the dorsal side, while the volar side was devoid of vessels. The profundus and superficialis tendons had an avascular zone at the proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints respectively. It was considered that the difference of the vascular architecture might be related to the mechanical force to which the tendon was subjected. The nutrition of tendon was discussed and the selection of tendon graft at operation was suggested.

[A study on the quality of fruits of Citrus aurantium L. (zhishi and Zhiqiao) produced in Jiangxi]

Through a study on the quality of different commercial fruits of Citrus aurantium (Zhishi and Zhiqiao) produced in Jiangxi, it has been found that the quality of Eyan Zhishi is good and Jiang Zhishi and Jiang Zhiqiao are the best varieties.

[Applied anatomic observation on the synovial membrane of the digital sheath]

The synovial membrane of various parts of flexor tendons and sheaths was examined with the aid of light and scanning electron microscopes. The results show that on the compressed sites such as the volar aspect of the tendon and the inner aspect of the pulley, no continuous synovial cell layer and blood vessel existed, indicating that these areas may not closely related to the secretion of synovial fluid. Alternatively, on the areas of lesser burden such as the reflexion of the synovial capsule, the short vincula and the small cul-de-sacs at either end of each pulley, the synovial membrane became thicker and the number of synovial cells greatly increased, and there were exuberant capillary networks underneath the synovial membrane. All these add up to a concept that these areas are closely associated with the secretion of synovial fluid, and should certainly be preserved during operation.

[In vitro transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells by four chemicals]

In this paper, the early passage diploid Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells were used as the source of target. Four chemicals were appraised in SHE transformation test to determine whether they were carcinogens or not. They were (1) 2-benzoyl-hydrazono-1,3-diethiolane(BHD) (technical product); (2) isoprothiolane (pure product); (3) isoprothiolane (technical product); (4) benzene-abstracts from coal smoke of coke oven (benzene-abstracts). The results showed that morphological transformation was not observed when cells were not treated or treated with dimethyl sulfoxide, BHD, pure isoprothiolane and the technical product of isoprothiolane. The highest concentration had considerable cytotoxicity. In the groups of positive control (1.0 microgram/ml 3-methyl-cholanthrene, 10.0 micrograms/ml benzo (a) pyrene) and benzene-abstracts, we could observe colonies with random or criss-cross orientation and dense piling-up of cells. According to well known positive criteria, the benzene-abstracts can induce SHE cells morphological transformation. The other three chemicals can not induce SHE cells transformation.